Crouch Mesa Man Arrested in Death of Woman

Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 9:33 AM

On April 5 at 7:27pm, SJCSO deputies were dispatched to a residence on Road 390 in reference to a missing person. Family members of Denise Werito were concerned as she never arrived at work that day, her vehicle was not at her residence, and they had not heard from Denise. While meeting family at the victim’s residence, deputies had cause to force entry into the residence where they found the body of Ms. Werito. With signs of foul play, the scene was secured and detectives were called in.

From the San Juan County Sheriff's Office

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Mateo Yazzie in connection with the death of Denise Werito. Mateo Yazzie, age 23 is being charged with Murder in the 2^nd degree, a 2^nd degree felony.

Mateo Yazzie who lived at the victim’s residence was quickly identified as a possible suspect. An abandoned vehicle located in Farmington was linked to the victim. Yazzie was located at an apartment in Farmington and was detained for questioning. The investigation led Sheriff’s Office Detectives to secure an arrest warrant for Mateo Yazzie for the charge of 2^nd degree murder.

More from Local News

AirCare adds Second Airplane

AirCare 3 is a Pilatus PC-12 Legacy. It joins AirCare 1, a Bell 429 twin engine helicopter, and AirCare 2, a Pilatus PC-12 NGX, all owned by San Juan Regional Medical Center and operated by Air Methods.
San Juan County Celebrates New Extension Office

The San Juan County Extension Service Building project is one of 14 projects funded by $13 million recovered in New Mexico’s 2022 settlements with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA contractors, and mining defendants for injuries to natural resources resulting from the August 2015 Gold King Mine blowout.
2024 Election: San Juan County Contested Races

These are the unofficial election results from voting on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 of the contested races in San Juan County, NM.
Local Freight Rail to receive up to $4 Million more for project

The (Four Corners Freight Rail) project aligns with the selection criteria by enhancing resilience and improving system and service performance, as the project will provide a viable freight transportation modal alternative to highway trucking, opportunities to simplify the supply chain, and enable new, rail-dependent economic development opportunities thereby imparting benefits to the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities.
Teen Boy Fatally Stabbed, Mother Beaten, Juvenile Suspect Arrested

The victim is a 12-year old boy who died of apparent stab wounds. A second victim, believed to be the suspect’s mother, sustained injuries from a blunt object attack and is being treated at CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital in Durango. The names of the victims are being withheld as the investigation is ongoing. The incident was reported by a motorist who was involved in a single vehicle accident shortly after 7 a.m., believed to have been caused by the suspect as he fled the residence on Snowy Peaks Way. Deputies discovered the scene when they arrived to investigate the accident.
Woman & Bystander Fatally Shot in Farmington

Andrew Wittenberg has been charged with aggravated burglary, larceny of a firearm, two counts of first-degree murder, and tampering with evidence. The investigation is still ongoing, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.